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H. T. WEBSTER.

LADDER.

Patented Jan. 31, 1888.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE T. WEBSTER, OF MOORES MILL, NEW YORK.

LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 377,219, dated January 31, 1888.

Application filed November 16, 1887. Serial No. 255,353. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HORACE T. Wnnsrnu, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moores Mill, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ladders especially adapted for use as fire-escapes; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view showing my device extended and in operative position. Fig. 2 is a side view showing it folded,'as when not in use. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the hinged connection between the sections of the ladder, and Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the same in the folded position.

Referring particularly to the drawings by letter, A A designate the side bars of the sections of my ladder, which are so constrncted at their ends as to form hinge-joints when connected together.

B B designate rods which form the rounds or rungs of the ladder and also the pivot-rods for the meeting ends of the sections. The ends of these rods B areinserted through perforated lugs or ears 0 formed on the ends of the side bars of the sections of the ladder and are secured against. withdrawal by nuts or similar devices, D.

In order to lock the sections together when they are eXtended,I provide the springs E, which are secured at one end to the inner side of the side bars of one section and project therefrom past the rod D, the free end ofthe spring having an integral lateral projection, F, which engages over the side bar of the adjacent section when the ladder is extended for use and locks the sections together. The free end of the spring is also provided with a thumbpiece, G, which facilitates the disengagement of the same from the side bars of the sections when it is desired to fold the ladder.

H H designate braces, which are mounted on the rods 13 or secured to the side bars, A, near the hinged connection of the sections. These braces project from the ladder at right angles thereto and rest against the wall of the building, thereby serving to keep the ladder at the proper distance from the wall necessary for its successful use, and at the same time preventing its swinging. The uppermost section of the ladder has the hooks I hinged to its side bars, which are adapted to engage over a window-sill to support the device, as shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing descriptiomtaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the operation of my device will, it is thought, be obvious.

It will be observed that my device is very simple in construction, and can be manufactured at a slight cost. The springs automatically operate to lock the sections, and can be quickly and easily disengaged to permit the folding of the ladder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a ladder, the combination of the side bars of the adjacent sections hinged together and the springs secured to the side bar of one section and engaging the side bar of the adjacent section to hold the sections extended, substantially as set forth.

2. In a ladder, the combination of the side bars of the adjacent sections hinged together and a spring having one end secured to one side bar and its other free end provided with a lateral offset to engage over the other side bar, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the side bars of the adjacent sections hinged together, the springs secured to the side bars of one section and engaging the side bars of the adjacent section, and the braces secured to the side bars and projecting rearwardly therefrom,substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto at'fixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HORACE T. WEBSTER.

Witnesses:

JAMES MATrnEws, E. LYMAN BROWN. 

